Clinical Trials on Ivermectin for Treatment of Covid-19 Infection Approved

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) has approved clinical trials on Ivermectin, a drug used to treat parasitic infection in livestock and humans, for the Covid-19 treatment.

Head of BPOM Penny Lukito said her office has allowed the use of Ivermectin as an anthelmintic after global data shows that it is also used for the Covid-19 treatment. The clinical trials will be conducted by the Ministry of Health in eight hospitals. 

"A similar opinion was conveyed by the US FDA [Food and Drug Administration] and the EMA [European Medicines Agency]. However, we still have to collect clinical trial data, which is not conclusive at this time," said Penny in a virtual press conference on Monday, June 28.

Deputy for BPOM Drug, Narcotics, Psychotropic, Precursor and Addictive Substance Control (ONPPZA) Rita Endang said clinical trials would usually take three months to see the safety and efficacy of Ivermectin on patients.

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir said his party was ready to produce 4.5 million tablets of Ivermectin after the completion of the clinical trials.

"We will produce 4.5 million tablets [Ivermectin] if it turns out to be good for all of us," Erick said on Monday.

Erick also said the government is monitoring the availability of antiviral drugs such as Oseltamivir, Pafiviravir, and Remdesivir.

Meanwhile, according to Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, the Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care (FLCCC) Alliance claimed 33 countries have used Ivermectin to treat Covid-19, including Brazil, Zimbabwe, Japan, and India.

INAF SOE Minister Erick Thohir announced that the government-owned pharmaceutical company, Indofarma Ltd. had succeeded in making a drug that helped cure Covid-19.

BPOM RI Head of BPOM Penny Lukito during a virtual press conference on Ivermectin's Clinical Trial Implementation Approval (PPUK), on Monday, June 28.

Tribun News Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko claimed, as many as 15 countries suppressed Covid-19 cases because they used the drug Ivermectin.

KOMPAS.com/RISKA FARASONALIA Ivermectin was given to help with the handling of Covid-19 cases in Semarang City, Central Java on Friday, June 11, 2021.

(Writers: Haryanti Puspa Sari, Fitria Chusna Farisa | Editors: Diamanty Meiliana, Krisiandi)

Sources:

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/06/29/06040291/ivermectin-obat-cacing-yang-dapat-izin-uji-klinik-untuk-obat-covid-19

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/06/28/12254331/moeldoko-klaim-15-negara-berhasil-lawan-covid-19-dengan-ivermectin